Senate of Pennsylvania
Session of 2017 - 2018
Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

In the near future we will be introducing a resolution to designate June 15, 2018 as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Pennsylvania. Approximately 28,633 reports were made to the Department of Aging in 2016-2017. Many cases of elder abuse go unreported in the Commonwealth, so it is assumed that the amount of cases is actually much higher every year.

According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, we simply do not know for certain how many people are suffering from elder abuse and neglect. Signs of elder abuse may be missed by professionals working with older Americans because of lack of awareness and adequate training on detecting abuse. Elder abuse comes in many different forms including, physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect, abandonment, and financial exploitation.

Our older Pennsylvanians deserve to spend the rest of their lives with dignity and respect, not worrying about the possibility of someone taking advantage of them. The Department of Aging works hard to protect our older Pennsylvanians by providing protective services, educating the public on those services, and safeguarding older people’s rights while providing the help and assistance that is needed.

We hope you will join us in cosponsoring this important resolution and we urge you to add the Statewide Elder Abuse hotline to your constituent outreach. The number is 1-800-490-8505 and can be accessed 24 hours a day.